Trieste Kelly Dunn Quotes

Powerful Trieste Kelly Dunn for Daily Growth

About Trieste Kelly Dunn

Trieste Kelly Dunn (b. October 1974) is an American novelist and short story writer, best known for her debut novel "Maine" (2008), which was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and received critical acclaim. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Dunn spent much of her childhood traveling across America due to her father's military service. This nomadic upbringing would later influence her writing, as many of her works are set in small towns and feature characters grappling with change and displacement. After receiving a BA from the University of Virginia and an MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop, Dunn taught creative writing at various institutions, including the University of Montana and Columbia University. In addition to "Maine," her major works include the short story collection "The Complete Unknown" (2013), which was a finalist for the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize, and "The Sound of Our Voices" (2020). Dunn's writing is characterized by its evocative prose, deep empathy for her characters, and keen eye for the complexities of small-town life. Her works often explore themes of family, identity, loss, and the ways in which our pasts shape us. Dunn continues to live and write in upstate New York with her husband and their two sons. Her latest novel, "The Black Hole of the American Dream," is set for release in 2023.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is not a dress rehearsal."

This quote by Trieste Kelly Dunn emphasizes that life is not a practice or a trial run; it's the real thing. It encourages us to seize opportunities, take risks, and live fully in each moment because we don't have another chance to redo our lives. The idea is to act with purpose and intention, as there are no do-overs in life.


"Love and fear cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Invite love in, ask fear to leave."

This quote suggests that emotions such as love and fear cannot coexist harmoniously within us at the same time. It encourages one to consciously choose love over fear when faced with challenging situations or feelings. By inviting love into our hearts, we are asking fear to step aside, creating space for positive emotions to flourish and guide our actions.


"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."

This quote by Trieste Kelly Dunn emphasizes that genuine passion for one's work is essential for achieving significant accomplishments. It suggests that when an individual loves their profession, they are more likely to produce exceptional results due to intrinsic motivation, enthusiasm, and dedication. By fostering a deep connection with one's work, the quality of output improves, and greatness becomes attainable.


"Happiness comes from living as you need to, as you want to. As your inner voice tells you to. Happiness comes from being who you actually are."

This quote suggests that genuine happiness is a product of living authentically – adhering to one's innermost desires, values, and beliefs. It implies that we should listen intently to our inner voice, which guides us towards becoming the unique individual we truly are. By embracing our authentic selves, we foster a deeper sense of contentment and fulfillment in life.


"In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take."

This quote emphasizes that it is our regrets in life that often stem from missed opportunities or unexplored paths, rather than from choices we have taken. It encourages us to be bold, seize the day, and pursue our dreams, even when they seem risky or uncertain. Embracing change and taking chances can lead to growth, learning, and ultimately a life lived with fewer regrets.


As a female, you are often being asked by directors to be warmer, softer, flirt more, smile more etc... None of those things are bad, and obviously we are capable of a variety of human behavior, but it gets really old having to play into somebody's stereotype or ideal.

- Trieste Kelly Dunn

Play, Bad, Directors, Asked

While actors play with guns for make-believe, the guns themselves are by no means make-believe; they're real. Even when the actor is using blanks, there are all kinds of safety protocols to follow when shooting one at someone. Pulling the trigger is the easy part.

- Trieste Kelly Dunn

Play, Guns, Make-Believe, Trigger

As an actor, some of the most fun days I've had on set have involved shooting blanks all day - or better yet, on a micro-budget indie shoot in Texas, shooting live ammo. I feel guilty admitting this, but make-believe beating a man half to death for nine hours can also be strangely satisfying and, dare I say, good fun.

- Trieste Kelly Dunn

Some, Indie, Nine, Beating

It helps with your acting when you're not in a perfect costume, perfect wardrobe, a perfectly seamed blouse, perfectly ironed hair, and perfectly done eyeshadow. It's really liberating.

- Trieste Kelly Dunn

Perfect, Your, Perfectly, Liberating

I definitely want to continue working in independent films - and big budget stuff as well - but there's a freedom you have when you're not getting paid. It's easier to say no and there's no pressure to please the powers that be. Also I don't have to hear 'flirt and smile more.'

- Trieste Kelly Dunn

Smile, Independent, Big, Flirt

I've learned that guns are exceptionally challenging to use effectively, with a power that must be respected. But mostly what I've learned is that they're a lot of fun, and dangerously appealing to an active imagination.

- Trieste Kelly Dunn

Guns, Mostly, Learned, Respected

Some of my biggest complaints about acting in television were that I was always wearing a tight dress or pencil skirt, and I was always wearing heels.

- Trieste Kelly Dunn

Dress, Some, Always, Skirt

Guns are heavy metal machines, and, at least in my case, it's surprising how many hours it takes before it looks like you know what you're doing. Releasing and re-loading magazines is difficult when you're asked to do it quickly and efficiently.

- Trieste Kelly Dunn

Doing, Guns, Before, Machines

I think if a personal connection seems far off, I have to work and find a way to bring it closer to me, or I don't feel grounded.

- Trieste Kelly Dunn

Work, Think, I Think, Closer

Thank God for small movies and filmmakers who can make movies for not $8 million. Thank God for $8,000 movies.

- Trieste Kelly Dunn

Small, Movies, Million, Filmmakers

'Banshee' was interesting because it was on cable, and it didn't have commercial breaks, so it read like a movie. Not only because of that, but it was a pretty interesting style, and I hadn't read a show like this.

- Trieste Kelly Dunn

Pretty, Commercial, Read, Cable

I love working with directors who have good taste. It's incredible when a director can say something and things open up for you. I went to The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and some of my best experiences on sets have been working with other alums.

- Trieste Kelly Dunn

Love, Some, Been, Good Taste

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